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SFAA Partners with Governing Institute on Groundbreaking Publication

Surety Association of MA

As part of its continuing increased communications activities, SFAA has partnered with Governing Institute to create a handbook for public officials to learn about and understand the value and critical nature of surety and fidelity bonds. The Guide will serve as a powerful educational tool for public officials at all levels, from Congress to local school boards, from the GSA to local procuring agencies. According to Governing, “CONTRACT, COMMERCIAL AND FIDELITY BONDS EACH SERVE A CRITICAL RISK MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY FUNCTION” and are “PROTECTION THAT GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND BUSINESSES SHOULDN’T BYPASS – THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES ARE JUST TOO GREAT TO SHIRK THIS RESPONSIBILITY.” The Governing Institute is a well-respected thought leader that advances better government and is relied on by public officials across the country.

Governing also will be running a promotional ad in the February issue of _Governing_ magazine and promoting the Guide via web ads. Attached is the magazine ad. The Guide will be promoted in the following upcoming Governing newsletters: Finance on 1/25/2017, and GOVERNING Daily on 1/27, 2/1 and 2/1. SFAA will have 250 copies of the printed handbook for use in lobbying and educational meetings.

The Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance has approved a Stipulation for the general revision of workers' compensation rates, effective 12:01 A.M., July 1, 2018 that generates an overall average decrease of 12.9% for Massachusetts workers’ compensation rates.

Download the Tonry Topic for changes to manual rates, averages by industry, experience rating, deductible credits, and commonly used classifications. Changes to workers' compensation rates will be applied to new and renewal policies with effective dates on or after July 1st.

Effective October 21, 2017, customers will be eligible to renew their licenses or ID cards online for two consecutive renewal periods. This will result in approximately 30,000 additional renewal transactions eligible to be processed online each month. Fewer in-person customers will make it easier for the RMV team to attend ATLAS training and prepare for the March 26, 2018 ATLAS rollout. This will also allow customers to keep their current photo images for five additional years.